PM Kakar warns elements instigating civil servants

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has taken notice of the alleged pressuring of civil servants to switch their loyalties from the State of Pakistan.

In a statement released here, PM Kakar said: “The people of Pakistan have spoken with a clear voice on February 8 and have given a split mandate. Some elements with proven track record of violent behaviour and vigilantism are now using different tricks including weaponisation of social media in blackmailing and pressurising civil servants to switch their loyalties from the State of Pakistan to the violent gang. This action is clear violation of the Article 5 and other articles of the Constitution and the laws of the land.”

The statement further said: “The State of Pakistan shall defend the civil servants in discharging their constitutional duties, act against these violent trolls and ensure exemplary punishment to them. There should be no doubt about our commitment to these noble civil servants serving the State and the people of Pakistan.”

On the other hand, Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Monday said a high-level investigation committee was constituted to investigate the allegations leveled by former commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatta regarding rigging in the general election.

Talking to media persons after attending the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, he urged patience as the legal process was currently underway.

“The people should have trust in institutions and the judicial process,” he added. He said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was currently investigating the allegations of rigging. The minister stressed the significance of waiting for the results of the ongoing legal proceedings.

The caretaker government, he said, had fulfilled its responsibility for conducting elections in free, fair and peaceful manner.

Responding to a query, he explained that once the ECP released the final list of successful candidates, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs would forward a summary to the concerned for convening the new session of the National Assembly. Subsequently, a request would be made to the president to summon the session of the National Assembly, he added.